NCLEX-RN
NCLEX Psychosocial Questions
1. After a client has a spontaneous abortion at 12 weeks' gestation, the nurse notes that both she and her partner are visibly upset and crying. Which statement would be a therapeutic response?
- A. 'I'll be here if you want to talk.''
- B. 'Try to relax"?it'll speed up the healing process.''
- C. 'With any luck, you'll get pregnant again soon.''
- D. 'It's best that this happened early rather than having the baby die after it was born.''
Correct answer: A
Rationale: A therapeutic response in this situation is to offer support and empathy. Saying, 'I'll be here if you want to talk' gives the client and her partner the opportunity to express their emotions and seek comfort. It acknowledges their distress and assures them of the nurse's availability. Choice B, advising to relax to speed up the healing process, dismisses their current emotions and may hinder open communication. Choice C, suggesting getting pregnant again soon, minimizes their grief over the loss and may not be what the couple needs to hear at that moment. Choice D, stating it's best that the miscarriage happened early, is insensitive as it invalidates the couple's feelings of loss and grief. Grieving is a natural process, and the timing of the loss does not diminish its significance.
2. Which response would the nurse make to a client with schizophrenia who claims to be Joan of Arc about to be burned at the stake?
- A. ''Tell me more about being Joan of Arc.''
- B. 'We both know that you're not Joan of Arc.''
- C. ''It seems like the world is a pretty scary place for you.''
- D. 'You're safe here, because we won't let you be burned.''
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The nurse would say, ''It seems like the world is a pretty scary place for you.'' This response allows the nurse to understand the symbolism, reflect on and acknowledge the client's feelings, and help preserve the client's integrity. The statement, ''Tell me more about being Joan of Arc,'' validates the client's delusion and does not test reality. The statement, ''We both know that you're not Joan of Arc,'' rejects the client's feelings and does not address the client's fears of being harmed; clients cannot be argued out of delusions. The statement, ''You're safe here, because we won't let you be burned,'' is false reassurance; the nurse is agreeing with the client's false perceptions of reality, which is nontherapeutic.
3. A male client is laughing at a television program with his wife when the evening nurse enters the room. He says his foot is hurting and he would like a pain pill. How should the nurse respond?
- A. Ask him to rate his pain on a scale of 1 to 10.
- B. Encourage him to wait until bedtime so the pill can help him sleep.
- C. Attend to the acutely ill client's needs first because this client is laughing.
- D. Instruct him in the use of deep breathing exercises for pain control.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Obtaining a subjective estimate of the pain experience by asking the client to rate his pain helps the nurse determine which pain medication should be administered and also provides a baseline for evaluating the effectiveness of the medication. Medicating for pain should not be delayed to use it as a sleep medication, so encouraging him to wait until bedtime is incorrect. Option C is judgmental and inappropriate as all clients deserve prompt attention. Option D should be used as an adjunct to pain medication, not instead of medication, so instructing him in deep breathing exercises alone is not the priority in this situation.
4. The nurse plans care for a hospitalized patient who uses culturally based treatments. Which action by the nurse is best?
- A. Encourage the use of diagnostic procedures.
- B. Coordinate the use of folk treatments with ordered medical therapies.
- C. Ask the patient to discontinue the cultural treatments during hospitalization.
- D. Teach the patient that folk remedies will interfere with orders by the healthcare provider.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The best action for the nurse is to coordinate the use of folk treatments with ordered medical therapies. Many culturally based therapies can complement Western treatments and medications. It is essential for the nurse to integrate both traditional folk treatments and Western therapies to provide holistic care. Some culturally based treatments can effectively complement Western medicine in treating diseases. Encouraging the patient to continue some culturally based treatments during hospitalization can enhance their overall well-being. Asking the patient to discontinue cultural treatments or teaching that folk remedies interfere with Western therapies may not align with the patient's beliefs and could hinder their care.
5. Which type of toy would be most suitable for enhancing the development of a toddler-age client?
- A. Clay
- B. Rattle
- C. Video games
- D. Musical mobile
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The most suitable toy to recommend for enhancing the development of a toddler-age child is clay. Clay promotes creativity and fine motor skills in toddlers. A rattle is typically recommended for infants as it aids in sensory development. Video games, which are often battery-operated, are not suitable for toddlers due to potential negative effects on development. A musical mobile is more appropriate for infants as it can aid in soothing and sensory stimulation.
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